Jake Phillips, U.S. Navy veteran and VetsForever marketing team member, shares how a real plan and the right people turned leaving the Navy into the start of a new mission.
For 10 years, Jake Phillips told the Navy’s story.
As a Mass Communication Specialist, he spent a decade behind the camera documenting the fleet, capturing images and sharing the stories of sailors around the world. What began as a decision driven by education benefits quickly turned into a career he genuinely enjoyed.
“I joined the Navy for the education benefits, but I reenlisted because I enjoyed the work,” Jake said.
One of his favorite memories came during a 2018 deployment. In a single day, he photographed a replenishment at sea from the air at sunrise, documented well deck operations during the afternoon, captured F-35 launches from the flight deck, and later found himself inside the ship’s engine spaces documenting casualty photos.
“It felt like I saw the ship from every angle and understood how every part of it operated,” he recalled.
As his military service began winding down, Jake approached his transition the same way he approached his work in the Navy: with a plan.
Like many service members, he felt the uncertainty that comes with leaving the military. Fortunately, he was approved for SkillBridge, allowing him to focus fully on preparing for civilian life. Through the 7 Eagle Group, Jake attended a hiring fair where he met VetsForever’s Wendy Traylor and Trinidad Aguirre.
Originally looking for a marketing or communications role, Jake joined a VetsForever breakout session to learn more about the VA claims process. Shortly after, Wendy reached out to see if he would be interested in a marketing internship.
“The interview went well, so I jumped on the opportunity,” Jake said.
The opportunity became much more than an internship.
“The fit was so good at VetsForever, that it reduced my anxiety about getting out of the military. I knew I had a job with people I really enjoy working with after leaving the Navy.”
One of Jake’s biggest concerns wasn’t finding work. It was leaving behind the sense of community he had built during his decade of service. Fortunately, he stayed connected with friends from the military while also finding a new community through VetsForever.
Looking back, Jake says what he’s most proud of is how successfully he transitioned from military service to civilian life.
“I used my second enlistment to plan my transition, and I met every goal I set.”
That preparation paid off. Today, Jake continues supporting veterans by helping connect them with resources and benefits they’ve earned through their service.
For Jake, VA disability benefits are about much more than monthly compensation.
“It’s access to healthcare they wouldn’t otherwise have. It’s hiring preference and education benefits, so they can plan and prepare for their future. And it’s the community built by the veterans who came before us.”
Jake’s own VA journey began while he was still serving. He filed a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim while navigating all the other responsibilities that come with leaving the military.
Although he received his rating the day after separating from the Navy, he quickly learned that a rating decision doesn’t always come with clear answers.
“I had a decision in hand and a lot of questions about what it actually meant.”
During an event with VetsForever’s co-founders, Jake had the opportunity to sit down and better understand his rating, the benefits available to him, and what to expect from the VA healthcare system moving forward.
Today, when veterans ask whether they should seek help with their claims, Jake doesn’t hesitate with his advice.
“The VA claims process is complex. Instead of pursuing your benefits alone, have VetsForever represent you before the VA.”
As a veteran himself, Jake understands the uncertainty many veterans feel throughout the process.
“We’ve all gone through it. We know what you’re feeling before a C&P exam. We’ve all stared at the VA claim tracker waiting for it to move past the evidence-gathering stage.”
His message to fellow veterans is simple: You earned these benefits through your service, and you shouldn’t hesitate to pursue them.
Looking ahead, Jake plans to continue supporting veterans and helping them access the benefits they’ve earned. His advice for anyone facing a major transition is the same mindset that helped guide his own.
“Figure out what you want, build a plan to get it, and don’t quit until you do.”
Outside of work, Jake credits his wife and children as his greatest source of support and inspiration throughout his post-military journey.
He also embraces a personal philosophy that has changed his outlook on life.
“I’ve recently started being aggressively positive,” Jake said. “If I notice something good, something that makes me happy, I make a point to call it out. And I’ve noticed my family and friends doing it now too. Hopefully they’re searching for the good in their own lives and calling it out, looking past the bad and focusing on the good.”
By intentionally looking for the good in people and situations, Jake says he’s improved not only his own mental health but also the outlook of those around him.
It’s a simple approach, but one that reflects who Jake is today: a storyteller, a planner, and someone committed to helping others find their path forward.
